Big News for EI and CERB!

On Thursday August 21, 2020 the federal government announced major changes to employment insurance, starting with a 4-week extension to the CERB program.  For most laid-off Local 75 members, that means CERB payments will continue until late September! 
 
Once CERB ends, workers will be transitioned onto regular EI – except with some major improvements to EI announced by the government including:
·      A minimum regular benefit of $400/week for at least 26 weeks.
·      A reduction in the minimum qualifying hours. 
·      Workers can continue to earn income with reduced benefits.
 
The government also announced its plans to create three new “Recovery Benefits” which have to pass a vote. Those proposed benefits include:
·      10-day COVID-related sick leave benefit.
·      A benefit for Caregivers.
·      A benefit for Self-Employed/Gig Worker.

 

Need help filing for EI? Service Canada recently began reopening their offices to the public. To find the closest one to you, click here.

Tell Your MP: Adopt the Three Essentials for Hospitality Workers!

Apply for the Local 75 Hardship Grant!

Applications are open! Local 75 is assisting hospitality workers who have encountered financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing one time grants of up to $500! Your application will be reviewed by the Hardship Fund Committee, which consists of rank-and-file members from five different Local 75 properties.
Applications are now closed.

UNITE HERE in The Hill Times

Local 75 President Guled Warsame and Local 40 President Zailda Chan spoke out about the plight of hospitality workers in The Hill Times demanding that the government put workers front and centre in the Federal Relief efforts for Aviation and Hospitality sectors. 

“Desperate to stay afloat, hospitality and airline industries and aviation authorities are asking for sectoral relief, such as forgivable loans, rent and fee waivers, tax deferrals and relaxed regulations. While government should consider the unique impact the pandemic has on our sectors, we believe the industry’s workers must be the centre of any sectoral relief package.”

Members across the country are telling their government “Relief for the industry must include relief for workers!” Click here to add your voice!

UNITE HERE Canada demands hospitality bailout puts workers first!

Local 75 and other UNITE HERE locals across Canada are demanding a seat at the table as Trudeau begins to consider relief packages specifically for hospitality.
Included in our demands: any future support provided to industry sectors such as hotels, airlines & airline caterers, airport or sports stadiums, UNITE HERE is calling on the government to compel employers to:
  • Agree to participate in Canada Emergency Wage Subsity (CEWS) and return at least 100% of workers laid-off due to COVID to the payroll covering wages and benefits throughout the life of the CEWS program.
  • Calculate hospitality workers’ CEWS income with a 12-month average. Workers will otherwise fall through the cracks. Winter is normally marked by short hours, low income and even layoffs, an inappropriate CEWS measure for seasonal workers.
  • Put in place an extended recall period for workers for up to 24 months.
  • Guarantee workers in high Covid-19 risk worksites government certified health and safety training, full PPE and appropriate hazard pay.
Click here to read the letter sent to Minister of Finance Bill Morneau.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit Portal is Now Online

As of this morning (Monday April 6, 2020), the reporting portal for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is now live. If you qualify for EI but have not yet applied, you must go through the CERB portal. Your application will be processed there, where it will be determined whether you qualify for EI or CERB. You will be automatically redirected to the benefit you qualify for. For more information on CERB and EI, check out our FAQ page.

Due to the high volume of Canadians like currently reporting, the Federal Government as advised applicants to log into the portal according to the following guidelines:

CERB is a $2,000 benefit distributed once a month for 4 months. The benefit is taxable – recipients will need to report any payments received on next year’s tax filing. An information slip for the 2020 tax year will be posted on the CRA portal, in My Account under Tax Information Slips (T4 and more).

Be sure to visit our COVID-19 Resource Centre for information and updates.

UNITE HERE! Canada Responds to COVID-19 Crisis

Yesterday, UNITE HERE Leadership from across Canada held a press conference to discuss with major news organizations the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workers nationwide in a recorded tele-press conference. For coverage, see below

CTV News Toronto: Nearly 90 per cent of hospitality workers will lose jobs because of COVID-19 pandemic, union predicts

Global News: Hospitality union offers help as hotels considered as makeshift hospitals 

Canadian Press (as seen in National Post): Hospitality workers hit ‘first and hit hardest’, says union seeking more support

CTV Vancouver: Hospitality workers call for financial support in face of mass layoffs 

CBC: Hospitality workers’ union says 90% of members have lost their jobs in past 2 weeks

To listen to a complete recording of the UNITE HERE Canada press conference, click here.

To see the letter Local 75 sent to Premier Ford, click here..

Resources for members impacted by COVID-19

Please visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus and Toronto.ca/covid-19 for the up to date information on the virus and government guidelines on isolation.

Please call the Toll-Free Local 75 Hotline at 1 877-354-1616 between 8:30-4:30 pm Monday-Friday for additional questions and assistance.

**Starting April 6, there is one single portal for applying for the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB), available to all who qualify for unemployment payments (EI) and to many who do not. Click here to learn more.

The situation with regard to available assistance is changing. This page offers resources for you that are current as of the time of writing.  To the most up-to-date info, please sign up for text alerts by clicking here or call the hotline.

For resources on health & safety at work during COVID-19, click here.

While everyone is doing their part to minimize the impact of COVID-19, we recognize our members have been some of the first and worst hit by this crisis, and will be working hard to connect Union members to all available resources and benefits to weather this storm. See the below links for more information:

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) & Employment Insurance (EI)

Provincial Support for Families

Other Federal Relief Programs (GSTC benefit, Canada Child Benefit, delayed tax filing, student loans).

Budgeting & Dealing with Creditors

Mortgage or Rent

Utilities & Other Bills

Food Assistance

Health & Medical Resources

Mental Health

We also want to reassure you that there will be no loss of benefits during the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read more.

For more information about federal, provincial, and GTA relief efforts, visit this page from the Toronto & York Area Labour Council.

If you require assistance accessing services including EI and CERB, a Service Canada agent will be able to contact you within two business days, visit this page to learn more.

An important message to Prime Minister Trudeau on COVID-19

On March 17, 2020, your UNITE HERE Local 75 Executive Leadership sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chairs of the Cabinet Committee. In the letter, Local 75 leadership asks for key enhancements so our members don’t bear the brunt of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the letter here.